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Christie could also appoint state Sen. Kevin O’Toole, a longtime friend of the governor. If the governor is conscious of how an appointment might look politically, O’Toole carries the added benefit of being an Asian-American, which would most likely bring cheers from the state’s sizable Asian population.

Another choice could be state Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, the minority leader in the chamber, who has made clear in Republican circles he planned to run for the seat next year.

Two other less likely choices are Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, one of the only Republican women in the state in a high-level position, and Rep. Leonard Lance, one of the few members of the delegation Christie gets along with.

The last time New Jersey elected a Republican to the Senate was in 1972, when Clifford Case won a fourth term. He lost a GOP primary six years later, and Democrat Bill Bradley went on to win the seat that year.

Christie ditched prepared remarks before the Governor’s Conference on Women Monday morning, choosing instead to speak about a senator with whom he often pointedly disagreed.

“I think it would would be inappropriate for me to give any other speech today except to ask all of you to pray for the Lautenberg family today,” Christie said.

The governor reminisced over “some good fights” he had with Lautenberg over the years; the senator once called Christie the “king of liars” and panned Christie’s decision to kill a planned new railroad tunnel between New York and New Jersey in 2010.

“It’s no mystery that Senator Lautenberg and I didn’t always agree. In fact, it probably is more honest to say we very often didn’t agree,” Christie said.

But the governor lauded the senator’s passion for public service and said “it was no great surprise” that Lautenberg decided to eventually pursue a second stint in the Senate after his first retirement. Christie called Lautenberg’s death a “loss for everyone.”

“I think we’d all sign up today for a life like Frank Lautenberg had of 89 years of fighting, and fighting hard. He’s been a great example for the people of our state, and we’ll certainly miss him,” Christie said.

The governor canceled campaign events ahead Tuesday’s Republican gubernatorial primary and gave no hints on whom he will appoint to temporarily fill Lautenberg’s seat, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.